APESMA pushes for probe
November 30, 2011
DESPITE dissension in the ranks
and the departure of NAPSA from
the Pharmacist Coalition for Health
Reform, APESMA is forging ahead
with its calls for a Senate Inquiry
into the Fifth Community Pharmacy
Agreement, saying an inquiry is the
best way to review the current
arrangements.
NAPSA announced its withdrawal
from the Coalition yesterday (PD 29
Nov) saying it does not support an
inquiry, and believes the current
5CPA is delivering major benefits.
The PSA has also voiced its
concerns, saying it is reviewing its
role in the Coalition and its future
direction, after the Coalition called
for the Senate Inquiry against the
PSA’s “express instructions”.
Not discouraged however, APESMA
has since proposed a new Terms of
Reference for a Senate Inquiry
which focuses on new benefits to
pharmacists including “providing a
role for pharmacists in Medicare
locals and GP clinics and new
measures to reform the health care
system”.
Speaking on behalf of APESMA,
Chris Walton accused the Pharmacy
Guild of Australia of bullying PSA
and NAPSA to drop their support
for the Inquiry, saying that it is
“frightened” of a probe because it
fears its “grubby deals” will be
exposed to the public.
Walton added that there was
nothing in the proposed Senate
Inquiry that would cause the
current Community Pharmacy
Agreement to cease.
“It is standard practice and good
governance to review major funding
agreements to make sure future
arrangements are better,” he said.
“If we don’t review this
agreement we cannot expect
better outcomes for patients and
for pharmacy professionals in the
future,” he added.
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